IRRESISTIBLE GRACE

 

IRRESISTIBLE GRACE

The claim for this doctrine is that the grace of God is needed to save the elect. Yet according to the doctrine of unconditional election, the elect are already saved by grace before the foundation of the world, so why would God need to institute another means to save the elect by grace. Evidently, some men think God is not as powerful or as good as His word. For if God had saved the elect by His unmerited favor before the foundation of the world—and His word is law—there would be no reason to institute another means such as Irresistible Grace.  This doctrine suggests God is impotent, despite Calvinist claims that it demonstrates His power. What we have here is clearly an attempt by men to put the Infinite Almighty God in a box—which is really what TULIP doctrines appear to do. This is why these doctrines are so convoluted, inconsistent, and illogical.

In my experience, Calvinists claim to honor God with their doctrines and get very defensive if any one suggests that the Bible actually has other Scriptures that contradict what they claim. They are quick to point out the word “free will” is not in the Bible, but overlook the fact that the names of their doctrines are not found either. There is no mention of “total depravity” or “unconditional election” or “limited atonement” or “irresistible grace” or “double predestination”. When Calvinists are shown from Scripture how their doctrines are unscriptural and overlook certain Scriptures, they refuse to acknowledge the verses pointed out. However, like a woman who is having a child taken from her, Calvinists refuse to let go of the false beliefs they cherish; instead, like a cornered animal, they will go on the attack making numerous false accusations.

If Calvinist claims for double predestination were true, there would be no need for any doctrine of saving grace, for the Word of God is all-powerful and the end of the matter. Once saved before the foundation of the world, this should be sufficient to be saved. The idea that irresistible grace needs introduction into a sinful world to save those who are already saved seems rather bizarre; although proponents of the TULIP heresy will insist, it is essential. Effectively, the doctrine states that the original grace supposedly executed for unconditional election is rendered ineffectual, and their god is not the God of Creation. In some respects, their kind of thinking is similar to reincarnation, where souls originate from the All-soul, go through a series of existences, which become meaningless as they return once more to be non-existent, having been absorbed into the homogenous All-soul. What this demonstrates is these doctrines are philosophies of man, or doctrines of demons, but not the truth of God.

This doctrine of Irresistible Grace actually originated because a man by the name of Arminius and a group of about fifty preachers in Hague disagreed with the oldest doctrinal confessions of belief adhered to by the Reformed Church. This is the (Calvinist) Belgic Confession that we are not justified by faith. Apart from what Arminius disagreed with, there are issues with that Confession claiming that Jesus had human blood—which means tainted blood—instead of the blood of God (Acts 20:28).

The following two articles of faith are the statements in the Confession that denies we are justified by faith, which is a refutation of the very Scripture they claim is the Written Word of God.

Article 22: The Righteousness of Faith

We believe that for us to acquire the true knowledge of this great mystery the Holy Spirit kindles in our hearts a true faith that embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, and makes him its own, and no longer looks for anything apart from him.

For it must necessarily follow that either all that is required for our salvation is not in Christ or, if all is in him, then he who has Christ by faith has his salvation entirely.

Therefore, to say that Christ is not enough but that something else is needed as well is a most enormous blasphemy against God-- for it then would follow that Jesus Christ is only half a Savior. And therefore we justly say with Paul that we are justified "by faith alone" or by faith "apart from works."

However, we do not mean, properly speaking, that it is faith itself that justifies us—for faith is only the instrument by which we embrace Christ, our righteousness.

But Jesus Christ is our righteousness in making available to us all his merits and all the holy works he has done for us and in our place. And faith is the instrument that keeps us in communion with him and with all his benefits.

When those benefits are made ours they are more than enough to absolve us of our sins.[1]

Article 23: The Justification of Sinners

We believe that our blessedness lies in the forgiveness of our sins because of Jesus Christ, and that in it our righteousness before God is contained, as David and Paul teach us when they declare that man blessed to whom God grants righteousness apart from works. And the same apostle says that we are justified "freely" or "by grace" through redemption in Jesus Christ. And therefore we cling to this foundation, which is firm forever, giving all glory to God, humbling ourselves, and recognizing ourselves as we are; not claiming a thing for ourselves or our merits and leaning and resting on the sole obedience of Christ crucified, which is ours when we believe in him.

That is enough to cover all our sins and to make us confident, freeing the conscience from the fear, dread, and terror of God's approach, without doing what our first father, Adam, did, who trembled as he tried to cover himself with fig leaves.

In fact, if we had to appear before God relying--no matter how little--on ourselves or some other creature, then, alas, we would be swallowed up.

Therefore everyone must say with David: "Lord, do not enter into judgment with your servants, for before you no living person shall be justified."

Arminius’ Objection

The two little subtleties that were introduced into the articles that state, “we do not mean, properly speaking, that it is faith itself that justifies us” and “before you no living person shall be justified” were objected to by Arminius and his followers.

Below are the points the followers of Arminius wanted the Reformed Church to accept:

Article I — That God, by an eternal, unchangeable purpose in Jesus Christ, his Son, before the foundation of the world, hath determined, out of the fallen, sinful race of men, to save in Christ, for Christ's sake, and through Christ, those who, through the grace of the Holy Ghost, shall believe on this his Son Jesus, and shall persevere in this faith and obedience of faith, through this grace, even to the end; and, on the other hand, to leave the incorrigible and unbelieving in sin and under wrath, and to condemn them as alienate from Christ, according to the word of the Gospel in John iii. 36: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him," and according to other passages of Scripture also.

Article II — That, agreeably thereto, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, died for all men and for every man, so that he has obtained for them all, by his death on the cross, redemption, and the forgiveness of sins; yet that no one actually enjoys this forgiveness of sins, except the believer, according to the word of the Gospel of John iii. 16: "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"; and in the First Epistle of John ii. 2: "And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

Article III — That man has not saving grace of himself, nor of the energy of his free will, inasmuch as he, in the state of apostasy and sin, can of and by himself neither think, will, nor do anything that is truly good (such as having faith eminently is); but that it is needful that he be born again of God in Christ, through his Holy Spirit, and renewed in understanding, inclination, or will, and all his powers, in order that he may rightly understand, think, will, and effect what is truly good, according to the word of Christ, John xv. 5: "Without me ye can do nothing."

Article IV — That this grace of God is the beginning, continuance, and accomplishment of a good, even to this extent, that the regenerate man himself, without that prevenient or assisting, awakening, following, and co-operative grace, can neither think, will, nor do good, nor withstand any temptations to evil; so that all good deeds or movements, that can be conceived, must be ascribed to the grace of God in Christ. But, as respects the mode of the operation of this grace, it is not irresistible, in as much as it is written concerning many that they have resisted the Holy Ghost,—Acts vii, and elsewhere in many places.

Article V — That those who are incorporated into Christ by a true faith, and have thereby become partakers of his life-giving Spirit, have thereby full power to strive against Satan, sin, the world, and their own flesh, and to win the victory, it being well understood that it is ever through the assisting grace of the Holy Ghost; and that Jesus Christ assists them through his Spirit in all temptations, extends to them his hand, and if only they are ready for the conflict, and desire his help, and are not inactive, keeps them from falling, so that they, by no craft or power of Satan, can be misled, nor plucked out of Christ's hands, according to the word of Christ, John x. 28: "Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." But whether they are capable, through negligence, of forsaking again the first beginnings of their life in Christ, of again returning to this present evil world, of turning away from the holy doctrine which was delivered them, of losing a good conscience, of becoming devoid of grace, that must be more particularly determined out of the Holy Scriptures before they can teach it with the full persuasion of their minds.[2]

A Deceptive Technical Truth

The idea that we are not justified by faith of itself alone is technically true, but when we are speaking of faith, we have to have faith in something or someone. This thin edge of a devilish doctrine has manifested in the doctrines of TULIP to lead people astray so they do not to have faith in Lord Jesus Christ, but have faith in the belief that grace is extended to all men—only “all”, according to Calvinists, means, “All who were predestined to be saved before the foundation of the world.”

In support of faith—even faith in Jesus Christ—not justifying anyone before God, an appeal is made to a prayer of King David’s in which he says.  “Lord, do not enter into judgment with your servants, for before you no living person shall be justified." Like so much of TULIP support from the Scriptures, this is twisted as it is lifted from the context of the situation. 

For we read:

Hear my prayer, Yahweh. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me. Don’t enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous. For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands. I spread out my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.

Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. My spirit fails. Don’t hide your face from me, so that I don’t become like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you. Deliver me, Yahweh, from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Revive me, Yahweh, for your name’s sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble. In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am your servant. (Psalm 143:1-12)

When we examine the context in which we find the text of Scripture that we are discussing, we see that David is seeking the Lord in prayer—an act of faith. Now we know the Lord searches our hearts to see whether we are seeking Him from a pure motive. David also understands the need to possess a pure heart, as we have already seen in his advice to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:9). When David speaks of nobody being justified in His sight, effectively, he is saying that all have sinned and not one of us can justify ourselves in God’s sight; for there is none righteous, not one, but blessed are we to whom He does not impute our sin; because we put our faith—our trust—in Him to deliver us. This becomes evident as we read the following verses of the Psalm and see the context of the verse, which has been taken out of context.

The Bible is replete with Scripture that speaks about justification by faith. It is an affront to common sense to suggest that this is not the case, or that we need not accept that we are taught to repent and exercise faith towards God (Hebrews 6:1); or that we need not acknowledge the Scriptures are able to instruct us for salvation through faith in Lord Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 3:15). For many these might seem like moot points and a matter for theologians in ivory towers, alienated from the common person, arguing about words. But there is no need to argue over Greek nuances of meaning as some do. The Scriptures are very clear and the seriousness of false doctrine needs to be addressed, especially that which can cause people to turn away from seeking and serving Lord Jesus Christ, and living lives of hypocrisy, because of what they have been taught.

Irresistible grace is supposedly the agency that the Holy Spirit uses to draw those who were singled out before the foundations of the world to Jesus. Much is made out of what Jesus said to his disciples to justify this teaching of irresistible grace. This is the particular Scripture that it is claimed (this false belief of) irresistible grace rests upon:

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. (John 6:44)

Once more, we will look at the context of the Scripture to see whether the claim is justified as a proof text, in this case, for the Doctrine of Irresistible Grace. Here is context in which Jesus spoke:

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don’t believe.  All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.  This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day.  This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, “I am the bread which came down out of heaven.”  They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does he say, ‘I have come down out of heaven?’”

Therefore Jesus answered them, “Don’t murmur among yourselves.  No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.  It is written in the prophets, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who hears from the Father, and has learned, comes to me.  Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father.  Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life. (John 6:35-47)

He who has seen the Son and believes in Him has eternal life, but the added emphasis again is “he who believes in me has eternal life”. Never does this say, “he who is drawn by irresistible grace has eternal life.” There is no mention of irresistible grace. Choice is what is on offer. The people saw the Son of God and they rejected Him. Not because they were not drawn to Him—for they were drawn to Him—but because they were not willing to accept Jesus as the Son of God.  The fact that no one can come to Jesus unless they are drawn to him does not preclude unbelievers or those who refuse to believe. Nevertheless those who are drawn to Jesus, and who do believe, will be raised up in the last day.

From the book of John, we read the most well-known Scripture regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ that endorses the need to believe in Jesus, and its context clearly indicates that freewill is involved—not irresistible grace.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.  This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.  For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:16-21)

There is no denying that Jesus will lose none of whom the Father has given Him—the number is set (Romans 11:25)—and He will in the last day raise them up. As for nobody being able to come to Jesus except the Father draw Him, and this being irresistible, not only do people who do evil hate coming to the light, lest their deeds be exposed, but there is the famous incidence of Sapphira and Ananias, who were obviously drawn to Lord Jesus Christ, but resisted the call of grace. This is what is recorded in the book of Acts:

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”

Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things. The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him. About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.”

She said, “Yes, for so much.”

But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things. By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. (Acts 5:1-14)

As we can see that rather than be truthful, Ananias and Sapphira decided to lie to the Holy Spirit. According to Calvinists, this was predetermined before the foundation of the world, so the loving God of Creation could punish them (sadistically) according to His good pleasure. Ananias and Sapphira had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and what the apostles were teaching, but like Achan (Joshua 7:1-26), they were not fully committed to the calling. Consequently, we see many more people believe, but are not committed enough to join the Apostles in a greater sacrifice of themselves unto the Lord, even though they glorified the name of Jesus Christ.

While it may be argued that all this was planned before by God and those who were not worthy were not called by irresistible grace, there is no justification for such an argument from the Scriptures. Instead, what we see is a calling going out to all the world (Ps 19:1-4) and people responding (Romans 10:20). Jeremiah says God spoke to him and said that He has drawn His people to Him through loving kindness (Jeremiah 31:3) and the prophet Hosea makes a similar claim regarding Israel coming out of Egypt (Hosea 11:4). The Apostle Paul tells us that God’s goodness and loving kindness is meant to bring all people to repentance, both Jew and non-Jew. For we read:

Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?  But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God;  who “will pay back to everyone according to their works:” to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation,  oppression and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

But glory, honor, and peace go to every man who does good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:4-11)

God shows no partiality. If people resist His Spirit as He calls every human to repentance, then they will be judged accordingly.  There is no doctrine of irresistible grace justifiable from the Scriptures that state nobody can resist God’s calling. There is, however, plenty of Scripture in support of a loving God reaching out to people who are self-seeking, rather than being desirous of the truth and seeking to know their Creator. In fact, in the book of Hebrews, we also learn of two Scriptures that debunk any claim to not being able to deliberately resist God’s call and turn away from Him. This is what the Bible says:

For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it, and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned. (Hebrews 6:4-8)

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

After a while, it becomes repetitive as we beat the same drum found within the Bible that tells us the word of God and the grace of God are resistible, and although God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, not all do. Many, unfortunately, turn away after having initially responded, but are not prepared to continue with a full commitment. Jesus is searching the hearts of everyone. Those that are capable of bearing fruit, and do, are the ones who are acceptable to Him. Even as we read about the vine and the branches and learn that the branches that do not bear fruit are cut off, Jesus is reminding us that those who resist can lose the salvation that is promised them. Jesus said:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.  Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.  I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.  If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. (John 15:1-7)

How similar this is to what we read in the book of Hebrews, chapter six, about only being fit to be burned if we do not bear fruit. To bear fruit, we need to continue in the promises of God. This is only possible if we have truly been chosen by Jesus and set free from sin (John 8:36). Jesus also said:

The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:35-36)

The evidence is very clear that not only can we resist God and turn away from seeking the truth, we can be given to Jesus and yet still disobey. Those who trumpet the false teachings of TULIP are really doing the work of the Devil, even if they are doing it in ignorance. As for those who are truly ignorant of these false teachings, for their sakes, let us hope they wake up from their ignorance and repent. For how can a person reject Scripture to justify a philosophy of man and then claim that the Bible is the inerrant, authoritative, Word of God, and not be a hypocrite?

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[1] The Belgic Confession  Reformed .Org.     http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/BelgicConfession.html  —retrieved Dec. 3 2014.

[2] Five articles of Remonstrance. http://www.theopedia.com/Five_articles_of_Remonstrance—retrieved Dec. 3 2014.